Bainbridge is the guitarist and songwriter for Iona (which you can read about in our Folk Rock feature elsewhere in this issue). On his first solo album he presents music much in the same vein; folk-ish/"ethnic" tones which through excellent guitar work ends up having a lot in common with the most symphonic sides of two respected guitarists, Andrew Latimer and Steve Hackett. Bainbridge has a clean, nice guitar tone and an exquisite sense of melodic solo playing. Altogether, this ensures a rich, harmonic music. "Over The Water" is in the best Camel/Genesis tradition, a lot more prog than folk. For the title cut, "Veil Of Gossamer", he is assisted by both William Schofield on cello and Iona colleague Troy Donockley on flute. The 20-minute five-part "The Everlasting Hills" is a sheer orgy in intense guitar playing, from something close to Allan Holdsworth to a pure prog closing not far from Genesis, but still keeping the typical Celtic atmosphere. In between we touch sacred vocals (Mae McKenna) and solo piano almost like a careful, romantic Emerson.

"Veil Of Gossamer" is a record rich in content, appealing to those who like juicy melodic prog with a Celtic touch, and those who feel that much of the "traditional" prog of today has little new to offer.

©2004 Tarkus Magazine

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